Abstract Details

Title Integration and Characterization of Brain MRI Data from the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative (INNI) for the Study of Multiple Sclerosis

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 15-034

Objective To characterize the quality and standardization of large amounts of brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) collected for the study of multiple sclerosis (MS) within the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative (INNI).

Background Since MRI has become an important in-vivo tool to diagnose and monitor MS, large amounts of data have been produced. The INNI Initiative supported the creation of a repository where advanced MRI, clinical and neurophysiological data are collected from Italian Research Centers with International recognized expertise for the study of MS. However, the standardization and integration of advanced MRI across centers remains challenging.

Design/Methods MRI acquisitions of 312 MS patients, including high resolution 3DT₁ and T₂ weighted scans were collected from the INNI repository (for Centers: A, B, C, D). Several quantitative measures were implemented to characterize (a) head positioning relative to the isocenter of the static magnetic field and its relation with image distortion; (b) intensity inhomogeneity; (c) image artefacts and (d) contrast between brain tissues.

Results Center B showed the highest image distortions at increasing distance from the isocenter (mean distance=7.5±2.2 cm; p<0.001), while Centers A and D showed the best head positioning (2.7±1.1 cm). Comparable intensity inhomogeneity on images were found between all Centers (R=0.45÷0.96; p<0.001) except for Center B that showed significant spatial inhomogeneity differences on images (p<0.001). Sixty percent of all image artefacts were due to brain movements. Center D showed the highest percentage (65%) of image ghosting artefacts, but the highest relative tissue contrast between grey and white matter (0.63±0.04) on 3DT₁. Center B showed higher values of relative tissue contrast between white matter and MS lesions on T₂ weighted sequences (0.21±0.06).

Conclusions Within INNI, quantitative assessments are implemented to guarantee a repository with quality controlled MRI data. The characterization was performed in order to suggest standardized protocols for large-scale MS studies.

Authors/Disclosures
Loredana Storelli PRESENTER	Loredana Storelli has nothing to disclose.
Maria A. Rocca (Neuroimaging Research Unit)	Maria Assunta Rocca has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Roche. Maria Assunta Rocca has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for AstraZaneca, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Bromatech, Celgene, Genzyme, Horizon Therapeutics Italy, Merck Serono SpA, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi and Teva. The institution of Maria Assunta Rocca has received research support from MS Society of Canada, the Italian Ministry of Health, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, and Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla.
Elisabetta Pagani	Elisabetta Pagani has nothing to disclose.
Patrizia Pantano	Patrizia Pantano has nothing to disclose.
Nicola De Stefano, MD (University of Siena)	Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Merck Healthcare KGaA. Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Immunic AG. Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis Pharma AG. Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Merck Serono S.p.A. Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi Genzyme. Dr. De Stefano has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche S.p.A.. The institution of Dr. De Stefano has received research support from Italian MS Society. The institution of Dr. De Stefano has received research support from Merck Healthcare KGaA.
Gioacchino Tedeschi, MD (University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli")	Dr. Tedeschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. Dr. Tedeschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Lilly. Dr. Tedeschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis.
Paola Zaratin, PhD (Italian Foundation of Multiple Sclerosis)	Dr. Zaratin has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of FONDAZIONE ITALIANA SCLEROSI MULTIPLA.
Massimo Filippi, MD, FAAN (Ospedale San Raffaele, Neuroimaging Research Unit)	Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion, Almirall, Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi. Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sanofi-Aventis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Takeda. Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Bayer, Biogen, Celgene, Chiesi Italia SpA, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Janssen, Merck-Serono, Neopharmed Gentili, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, and TEVA. Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Springer Nature. The institution of Dr. Filippi has received research support from Biogen Idec, Merck-Serono, Novartis, Roche, the Italian Ministry of Health, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, and Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla.

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